Bonet, Barsby, Secker Claim ITA National Men's Tennis Awards

SANLANDO SPRINGS, FLA -- Armstrong Atlantic State's Eudaldo Bonet and GCSU coach Steve Barsby received national awards from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) on the eve of the national championships in Sanlando Springs. Bonet was named the ITA Freshman of the Year while Barsby was named the national Coach of the Year. Armstrong Atlantic State's David Secker was also named the national Assistant coach of the Year, the first time assistant coaches have been recognized by the ITA.

Bonet is the first AASU men's tennis player to earn National Rookie of the Year honors. The PBC's Player and Freshman of the Year in 2009, Bonet is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation in singles with a 21-3 dual match record this season. The Barcelona, Spain, native was the ITA DII National singles champion in the fall and has wins over five of the top eight singles players in NCAA Division II.

Now in his ninth season at the helm of the Bobcats, Barsby has guided the team to an 18-3 mark this year, earning the first Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Championship in program history. He was named PBC Coach of the Year as well for his efforts, which included a 5-4 thrilling victory over defending National Champion and then-No. 1 Armstrong Atlantic State University Feb. 24. The 18 victories by the Bobcats this season ties the 2005 squad for second-most in program history. The three losses are the fewest since the 1987 squad went 12-2. Barsby is just the second National Coach of the Year for Georgia College in any sport, as GCSU Athletics Hall of Famer Duward Whelchel earned the honor in men’s tennis in 1995.

Secker, meanwhile, earns the first-ever Assistant Coach of the Year honors for both the men and the women. A former four-year player for the Pirates, Secker has helped the AASU men achieve a No. 1 national ranking and a 26-1 overall record, while also assisting the No. 3-ranked Lady Pirates to their 24-1 mark. This is Secker's third season as the assistant coach at AASU.

Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year – Steve Barsby, Georgia College & State University
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year – David Secker, Armstrong Atlantic State University
ITA Senior Player of the Year – Julien Carsuzaa, Lynn University
ITA Rookie Player of the Year – Eudaldo Bonet, Armstrong Atlantic State University
ITA Player to Watch – Emanuel Fraitzl – Barry University
ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship – Vincent Nguyen, University of California-San Diego